CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Division of Police arrested 59-year-old James G. Drahos on a charge of aggravated murder after finding human remains at a west side home believed to be those of missing woman Tammy Dubuisson.
According to a release from Cleveland police, investigators conducted a search of a home in the 4300 block of West 139th Street in the city's Bellaire-Puritas neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon. During their search, investigators collected evidence "which led them to believe they were human remains."
A $2 million bond was set for Drahos during an arraignment hearing in Cleveland Municipal Court on Thursday. He's due back in court on July 19 at 8:30 a.m. for a preliminary hearing.
Officers arrested the homeowner -- identified as Drahos -- charging him with aggravated murder. Police say in their initial interview with Drahos, he "indicated the remains are those of Tammy Dubuisson."
Police officials say an autopsy will be performed to officially confirm the identity. However, a Cleveland Municipal Court affidavit obtained by 3News indicates authorities believe Drahos struck and killed Dubussion on May 23 before leaving her body outside for eight hours. He then allegedly put her corpse in a garbage for 30 days, and neighbors have told WKYC they noticed a strange odor coming from the trash.
Dubuisson was last seen on May 22, however her disappearance was not reported to the Cleveland Division of Police until June 19.
"Tammy has some medical conditions and may be without her medications," a Cleveland police spokesperson noted when the division first announced her disappearance last month.
A neighbor tells 3News that Drahos was in a relationship with Dubuisson and that he claimed she was sick with cancer. When she asked him where Dubuisson was, and he responded that she had "moved to Indiana."
On Wednesday, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner also confirmed to us that Drahos' mother, 83-year-old Carol Sly, was found dead Saturday inside her home behind her son's residence. Officials have not indicated that the two deaths are connected.
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